Paleta de Batata y Coco (Sweet Potato & Coconut Popsicles)

July 26, 2012

In my head paleta de batata con coco (sweet potato and coconut popsicles) and summer are indelibly connected.

When I was a kid I spent many a summer in the Santo Domingo neighborhood of San Carlos, where one of my aunts lived. Back then it was the kind of old-fashioned middle class neighborhood you see in movies depicting the Spanish Caribbean. It was a quiet place of tranquil streets and colorful old houses that lent itself to childhood exploration.

Besides the memories of Hurricane David pounding Santo Domingo into a pulp, the other clear memory I have of those days was walking every afternoon to buy helados de potecitos (homemade ice cream in baby food jars) at a neighbor’s house.

In the Santo Domingo of today, full of apartment buildings, not only has San Carlos become unrecognizable, but these childhood treats are probably long gone.

Of all the flavors available in those days -some not very healthy – batata (sweet potato) was my favorite. Some time ago I decided to recreate my favorite childhood treat.

Once I embarked on this project, I noticed that this is a very good option as an afternoon treat for the little ones. If you keep in mind not to overdo it with the sugar, it can be fairly nutritious.

As the Dominican saying goes: “Cuando el hambre da calor, la batata es un refresco” (when hunger makes you hot, sweet potatoes are a cold drink). And if it is this insane heat to blame for it, make yourself a sweet potato popsicle.

This website is probably my new favorite! I went to the Dominican Republic and fell in love. The climate and culture were my idea of perfection. But most of all, I loved the food. My mouth started watering the second I even read the name of this website. I am sooooo grateful to you for posting this. 🙂